MTC presents Ripcord at New York City Center's Stage I

The Manhattan Theatre Club has announced its first off-Broadway production of the 2015-2016 season. The world premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire's new comedy Ripcord, starring Marylouise Burke and Tony Award winner Mary Louise Wilson, beginning previews at New York City Center's Stage I on 29 September 2015, with an official opening set for 20 October.

Directed by Tony and Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce, the play is "a high-stakes comedy about two women of a certain age locked in a no-holds-barred battle to the death."

Synopsis: "A sunny room on an upper floor is prime real estate in the Bristol Place Assisted Living Facility, so when the cantankerous Abby (Wilson) is forced to share her quarters with new-arrival Marilyn (Burke), she has no choice but to get rid of the infuriatingly chipper woman by any means necessary. A seemingly harmless bet between the old women quickly escalates into a dangerous game of one-upmanship that reveals not just the tenacity of these worthy opponents, but also deeper truths that each would rather remain hidden."

Marylouise Burke has appeared on Broadway as Madame Caron in 'Is He Dead?,' Jack's Mother in 'Into The Woods,' and Mrs. Krebs in 'Inherit the Wind.' Her many off-Broadway credits include 'Rx,' 'Love, Loss, and What I Wore,' 'The Savannah Disputation,' 'Wintertime,' 'Kimberly Akimbo,' 'Wonder of the World,' 'Casanova,' and 'Fuddy Meers,' for which she won a Drama Desk Award in 2000. Her screen credits include 'Sideways,' 'A Prairie Home Companion,' and 'Meet Joe Black.'

Mary Louise Wilson won a Tony Award in 2007 for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Edith Bouvier Beale in 'Grey Gardens.' She was also nominated in the same category in 1998 for her performance as Fraulein Schneider in 'Cabaret.' Her many Broadway credits include 'The Women,' 'Prelude to a Kiss,' 'The Odd Couple,' 'Alice in Wonderland,' 'Fools,' 'The Philadelphia Story,' 'The Importance of Being Earnest,' 'Gypsy,' and 'Promises, Promises.' Her screen credits include 'Nebraska,' 'All My Children,' and 'Stepmom.'

Further casting and creative team announcements for Ripcord will be made at a later date.

- by Tom Millward